Panic disorder and generalized anxiety according to the DSM-IV-TR are classified as anxiety disorders. In this article we will discuss panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder by examining the different aspects such as the contributing theories and what appropriate treatment can be used to alleviate the symptoms of these disorders. According to the DSM-IV-TR, panic disorder is a recurrent panic attack. It usually begins with the sudden onset of intense apprehension, fear, or terror. Panic disorder is a serious condition that strikes without reason or warning, i.e. it does not occur immediately before or upon exposure to a situation that almost always causes anxiety. Therefore attacks cannot be predicted and can cause people to become stressed, anxious or worried wondering when the next panic attack will occur. Statistics show that 40% of all young adults suffer from panic attacks occasionally, especially during times of intense stress, such as exam week. As time passes, when a panic attack becomes a common occurrence, when it is not provoked by any particular situation, and when a person begins to worry about having attacks and changes their behavior because of the worry, then a diagnosis may be given of panic disorder. People who suffer from panic disorder have attacks at intervals, meaning every day for a week and lasting weeks or months. Some people have attacks less frequently but more regularly, such as once a week for months. Between full-blown panic attacks, they may have minor panic attacks. Most people who develop panic disorder usually do so between their late teens and mid-thirties. This disorder tends to be chronic once it begins. A study conducted by Ehlers in 1995 found that 92% of patients with panic disorder...... half of the article......y-panic/guide/generalized-anxiety-disorderAssociation, AP (2005 ). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th edition). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.Chang, L.M. (2011, October 7). Introducing: A Visual Guide to Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Retrieved February 23, 2014, from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/ss/slideshow-general-anxiety-overview Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2007). Abnormal psychology. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. Panic Disorder: When Fear Overwhelms. (2013). Retrieved March 1, 2014, from the National Institute of Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms/index.shtml#pub3Smith, MM, & Segal, JP ( 2014, February). Generalized anxiety disorder. Retrieved March 10, 2014, from HelpGuide.org: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/generalized_anxiety_disorder.htm